A/N: I was doing some research for this story and I realized that some of the things I had in this chapter originally were incorrect. Anyway, here is the correct and edited version.
One
In 1895, two countries reappeared that hadn't been seen for centuries. Small groups of people from around the globe believed that the reemergence of these two nations foretold some sort of disaster in the near future. They had no idea how correct they were. Then a war broke out, later dubbed World War I, that dragged many a nation, including the newly rediscovered Atlantis and Yggdrasil, into the dispute that had originally been solely between Austria and Serbia. Because Atlantis and Yggdrasil were under the care and mentorship of Germany, they decided to fight on his side when Austria requested his assistance. They lost. This is an account of what transpired afterwards.
1932, Present Day
Atlantis gazed across the square. Impoverished people flocked to the area in hopes of getting a warm meal when food was scarce. Atlantis's hand was seized and given a squeeze. Atlantis glanced down at her younger sister, Yggdrasil, and flashed an insincere smile.
"C'mon, we got what we came for. If we don't start heading back, Vati will get worried about us." Atlantis said as she tugged her shy sister back toward Germany's mansion.
"Atlantis, why are all these people out here?" Yggdrasil asked.
"Because they're hungry and some of Vati's men have set up soup kitchens for them." Yggdrasil nodded though she didn't understand.
The two young nations slowed as they came upon the wrought iron gates surrounding their home. The façade of Germany's mansion hinted at grandeur that had long since departed. The ancient pillars were coated with a combination of ash and grime, the carefully manicured grass had been infiltrated by weeds, and the meticulously constructed road leading up to the mansion was filled with pot holes.
"I don't like it out here." Yggdrasil shivered. Atlantis wrapped an arm around her sister.
"I know. We should go inside." The heavy oak door squealed when Atlantis shoved it open. The interior of the mansion was no better than the exterior. The wall paper was stained and was peeling away from the wall, the wood floor was stained and scratched, and the bowls of the house were lit only by the flickering glow of several sporadically placed oil lamps. Atlantis pushed the door closed with her foot.
"We're home." Atlantis called.
"Ve, did you girls get everything I asked for?" Italy asked as he popped his head out from the kitchen.
"Si, Italia." Atlantis said as she set down the wicker basket containing moldy tomatoes, rotting onions, and wilting heads of lettuce. Italy's smile faded as he took in the less than pristine ingredients before him.
"This looks excellent girls. Thank you." Italy said cheerfully. He picked up the basket and strolled into the dingy kitchen humming a catchy swung tune softly.
"Is Vati in his study?" Atlantis asked.
"He is but he might be in a meeting with a possible political…" Italy trailed off when he realized that not only had Atlantis already made a B-line to Germany's office but Yggdrasil was not listening to him either.
"Vati," Atlantis said as she opened the door to his study, "we need to talk about something. Oh. You have a guest." Germany glared at his adopted daughter.
"Ja, Atlantis, this is Adolf Hitler, an upcoming political leader." Atlantis smiled as the man sitting in one of Germany's uncomfortable chairs.
"Hello." Hitler dipped his head in respect though his dark eyes flicked side to side in an uneasy manor*.
"Well we were pretty much done here. It was nice to meet you and finally put a face to the name." Germany said, shaking hands with the politician. When Hitler passed Atlantis on his way out of Germany's office, Atlantis shivered. Atlantis didn't know what but there was something wrong with that man.
*There were many things off with Adolf Hitler. One of them being that he had a fear of women. He would appear nervous, uneasy, et cetera while in the presence of a female.